First Nations Leadership Director — Role description

The Opportunity

Common Nature is being established to make nature connection a national priority. We recognise that to build a nature-connected Australia, we must listen to and learn from the world’s oldest living cultures.

As the First Nations Leadership Director, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives on Country and relational ethics are woven into the very fabric of our national framework. This is a founding governance role, with the opportunity to help define how "connection" is valued, supported and measured in 21st-century Australia. You will join a high-calibre, collaborative, cross-disciplinary team during our vital establishment phase.

Key Responsibilities

  • Strategic Governance: Provide strategic guidance to ensure First Nations worldviews and priorities are central to Common Nature's planning and practice.

  • Framework Co-Design: Advise on the development of the national nature connection index, ensuring it respects and reflects the sophisticated understanding of Country held by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

  • Reciprocity & Ethics: Champion the organisation’s commitment to reciprocity, helping to ensure that our work creates shared belonging and that benefits flow back into the communities that have cared for this land for millennia.

  • Strategic Relationships: Help build and strengthen relationships between the Board and First Nations leaders, researchers and practitioners.

About You

We are seeking a strategic leader with:

  • Lived expertise: A lived understanding of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander worldviews and a commitment to caring for Country.

  • Governance Experience: Demonstrated experience at Board, Committee, or Executive levels, with an ability to ensure rigorous organisational integrity.

  • Systems Thinking: weaving scientific evidence with cultural wisdom to reframe how Australians relate to nature.

  • Relational Ethics: A focus on building long-term, respectful partnerships grounded in reciprocity and shared belonging.

Commitment & Remuneration

Term: Initial 2-year term as a voluntary member of the Board.

Time: Approximately 1-2 days per month.

Meetings: Attendance at quarterly board meetings (2-3 hours) and one annual half-day strategic workshop.

Remuneration: This is currently a voluntary role during our Establishment Phase. Common Nature intends to offer sitting fees for this role once operational funding is secured.

Support: We are committed to providing appropriate support and induction to ensure this role is set up for success.

Common Nature has identified this role specifically for a First Nations leader as a 'Special Measure' under Section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act.

To apply

If this role appeals to you, we'd welcome a conversation. You can apply via our online form, or reach out to contact@commonnature.org.au for an informal discussion.